The Nikon
F was the first Nikon commissioned by NASA to be taken into space. The
F would debut in the late Apollo era and also be taken into space during
the Skylab missions in the early 1970s.

NASA
had very specific requirements for the camera. The camera would be subjected
to a vacuum and zero-gravity conditions. In addition, since the spacecraft
compartment is air tight, it was crucial that harmful gas or fire never
be generated from the camera. Furthermore, the camera needed to be easy
to operate for someone wearing gloves and of course, be extremely reliable.
NASA also noted that the rays of the sun and their reflection on the camera
body may be stronger than those on the earth's surface, so reflective
properties must be contained. Finally, the weight of cargo aboard the
craft should be limited as much as possible for launching. The responsibility
for the modifications fell to a special team at Nikon's Ohi Plant in Tokyo,
Japan.

This
white paper will try to illustrate some of these modifications which make
this camera so unique

The Nikon
F with an FTn Photomic finder was used as the base camera and then underwent
a number of modifications:

Internally,
lubricants and adhesives were formulated to NASA specifications so they
would be able to perform under tremendous changes in temperature, zero
gravity and under great forces in pressure. It was also key that there
was no chance of outgassing or flammability. For durability, some key
parts were made using metal in place of plastic like in the consumer model.
All electrical contacts also needed to be soldered according to NASA standards
as well. The thickness of the metal plating was also modified in an effort
to not only build strength, but being careful not to add too much weight

Inside
the film transport area, the camera was modified so that it could accept
and feed thin, polyester-based films; ones that could hold up to twice
the standard frames (72) while maintaining a similar cassette size to
the consumer model

Comparing
the outside of the Nikon F, the modifications become more apparent.

First
off, we'll look at the top of the camera:

On this
particular NASA Motorized Nikon F, the finder is a modified version of
the Photomic FTn finder. The finder, like the balance of the camera, is
painted in a flat black - this was to address the reflective issues from
being much closer to the rays of the sun. In addition, the NASA camera
does not have the simulated leather vulcanite on the top which is on the
consumer model. Instead, the 4 screws that secure the top of the finder
are exposed, however they are glued in place, presumably to prevent the
possibility of the screws threading their way loose during the intense
vibration experienced during lift off and re-entry. You will notice all
exposed screws on the F body are glued in place.

The function
of the NASA version of the Photomic FTn finder appears to be no different
in operation to that of the consumer model. The battery check and power
switch remains the same in function, although the control is all black
on the NASA version and chrome in the consumer model. The meter is the
same needle matching design on both versions.

The NASA
modified finder however, incorporates a cold shoe in which to hold accessories,
such as a flash unit. Synchronized control of the flash would be achieved
by way of a sync cord which would attach on the side of the body. It is
important to note however, that while this particular NASA Nikon F carried
this modified Photomic FTn finder, not all F bodies used in the space
program had this shoe. The flash synchronization connection on the side
of the body appears to be the same in both versions, but likely with some
electrical modifications internally. For this era, NASA used a modified
Honeywell Strobonar 360 flash unit for flash photography inside the spacecraft.

The ASA
(ISO) dial of the finder is all black with white lettering on the
NASA modified model. This scale is different than the consumer models,
I suspect to match the film sensitivities of the special emulsions NASA
were having manufacturers develop.

The rewind
lever of the consumer model has been replaced by a knurled metal knob
with an engraved directional arrow. The knurled knob would be much easier
to grab with gloves on, and would be considerably more durable than the
consumer's retractable handle. On the consumer model, there are metal
contacts for the accessory shoe beneath the rewind lever, as well as the
shoe insulator. Since the NASA modified version moved the accessory shoe
to the top of the finder, there was no need for these beneath the rewind
knob.

In addition
to the changes to the ASA dial, there are a few changes on the Shutter
Speed dial as well between the consumer and NASA modified version.

The NASA Modified
Motorized F displays the same shutter speeds with the following visual
differences:

There is no 'B'
(Bulb) setting

The number 60 is
in white, with a white X beneath it

Speeds 1/125 -
1/1000 are all in white text.

The consumer F has
a collar-type shutter release, where the release button is surrounded
by a metal 'collar'. Cable releases for this type of shutter release thread
on to the collar (the Nikon AR-2). The NASA Modified F's shutter release
does not have this collar design. Instead, the button is given a much
larger surface area to enable easier control with gloves on. The center
of the button is threaded to enable a male end pin cable release (AR-3)
to be used in place of the collar type.

On the
NASA modified Nikon F, the film advance lever is larger and taller than
the consumer version, again to facilitate easier operation with gloves.

The consumer
version of the F features a dual function frame counter. The top part
of the counter shows an index of what frame the film is currently wound
to (up to 36). The frame counter displays a number every 5th frame and
also shows index marks in one frame increments. The number 20 and the
36th frame index mark appear in RED, while the rest of the indices and
numbers are in WHITE. A window beneath enables the user to dial in how
many frames the inserted film has on its roll (20 or 36).

The NASA
modified version of the F only displays the frame count - likely since
emulsion lengths would vary a great deal with the different films being
used. The frame count is visible through a bubble-glass window which magnifies
the number and makes it easier to see - especially through a helmet. The
scale is in WHITE text and numbers up to 72 frames, since some emulsions
being used were very thin, enabling the large exposure count. All EVEN
numbers and their index marks are displayed. There are no markings for
ODD number frames.

Another
notable difference between the NASA modifed motorized Nikon F and the
consumer version was the oversized finder release button on the rear.
Used in concert with the release lever like on the consumer version, this
enable the finder to be removed by the astronauts. The larger button provded
considerably more surface area to activate effectively with gloves on.
Once again, the button was black instead of the consumer silver.

Once
the finder was removed, you would find that the meter was powered with
the same battery source as the consumer version, with no additional apparent
modification. While this example of the Nikon F used a metered finder,
other slightly different versions of the F utilized either no finder at
all, or a larger finder akin to the Action Finder, for EVA (extra-vehicular
activity) outside of the spacecraft.

Having
the finder removed also enabled the focus screen to be removed. The Nikon
F models and later F3 models that I have inspected all appear to utilize
either the K or P focus screen. Each screen carries a NASA part number
and Serial number, as do the body, finder, and pretty well all other removable
pieces.

Looking
at the front of the NASA modified version of the Nikon F continues to
reveal a number of differences to the consumer version.

Once
again, the body of the NASA model is painted in the flat black and does
not have the simulated leather vulcanite.

The consumer
version has a self timer and its control lever and 'on' switch is located
on the front to the left of the lens mount. As you will note from the
photo above, there is no self timer lever on the NASA body. Apparently
there was little vanity back in the early days of the space program :)

You will
also notice the omission of strap lugs on the NASA modified body. In zero
gravity, neckstraps would serve little purpose therefore the lugs to hold
the strap were not added.

Both
the consumer and NASA modified models have a Depth of Field preview button
and function the same way, however the consumer version's button is silver
while the NASA version is all black

Another
important feature both cameras share is the Mirror Lock Up control, however
this control was given a significant modification in the NASA version.
For those whom have used the consumer model, you know how difficult it
is to raise and lower the mirror; having to gingerly use the very tip
of your finger to twist the control. Leaving this design would have meant
it would be virtually impossible for astronauts to control with gloves,
so a complete redesign of the control was made - making the control a
much Bigr knurled knob with an index to indicate mirror position.

The front
face of the Photomic finder also has a subtle difference between the NASA
and consumer models. The maximum aperture index printed on the face is
the same numbering on both, however the consumer model shows 5.6 in RED
text, while the NASA version is all in WHITE text.

Another
subtle difference between the two versions is found on the lens release
button. The NASA version is all black along with its collar, and the consumer
version is silver.

The most
significant difference between the consumer Nikon F and the NASA modified
F is its motor drive. The consumer model F36 drive is built into the back
and replaces the standard Nikon F back. The F36 has no power on its own
and requires a cordless battery pack grip or a corded external battery
pack in which to operate. Using a corded solution in space was not practical,
and the connectivity of the F36 to a cordless battery back was awkward
to install at best. NASA needed a better solution.

The result
was to build a body that incorporated a motor drive and power supply &
thus eliminate the need for removing the entire back and drive. The drive
they developed had similarities to aftermarket manufacturer Remopak as
well as further improving on their own design.

First
off, since they did not want to have to remove a drive and back to change
film, a hinged door was added to the back. This enabled the door to simply
be opened and the film compartment could be accessed. The drive needed
to incorporate a locking system for the rear door, so a knurled multi-position
knob was added to the bottom to serve as the (O)Open and (C)Closing mechanism.

The drive
mechanism was incorporated along with a mode selector to control it. The
camera drive could be set to operate in 3 modes: T, M & C

(T) mode was designed
for use with an external timer, whereby the astronaut could have the
shutter controlled automatically by an intervalometer.

(S) mode was for
single shot

(C) mode was for
continuous shooting of 3 frames per second (when shooting with a shutter
speed of 1/250 second or faster)

A Motor Drive counter
was also added to keep track of frames the astronaut wished to fire in
a burst. Another magnified frame counter window was also utilized here.

Power for the motor
drive was supplied by an on-board battery pack. The pack used self contained
10 nickel cadmium cells that were stacked and spotwelded together and
encased in FEP Teflon tubing. The pack had a circuit voltage of 12.5 VDC
and had a fully charged capacity of 2500 cycles

The battery
compartment was carefully designed to prevent potential leaks from escaping.
A Big metal knurled battery cap with a heavy duty spring attached would
ensure contact was maintained. The electrical circuit for the drive was
protected by a 1 AMP fuse. The fuse could be easily accessed from the
rear of the drive. Should the fuse blow, slots to hold two spares were
located just below.

Located
just below the camera back door lock was the connection for an external
timer / intervalometer. The timer connection on the NASA Modified Nikon
F drive was a Deutsch bayonet type UR40-8-7S, and was connected to a Nikon
intervalometer. The intervalometer was different than the one Nikon was
commercially making at the time and unfortunately I have not seen a good
photograph of one yet. From what I have seen, the timer was battery powered
and did not require a separate relay box. The timer also looked to be
half the size of their commercial model. This intervalometer timer could
be set for time exposures of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 & 64 full second durations.
The timer's connection on the Nikon F has a metal cap to keep contaminants
out which may interfere with operation. The cap has a tether attached
so it won't get lost.

Common
to many NASA modified items, 'cheat sheet' decals were often found on
camera bodies and flash units. These decals were designed to give quick
instructional reminders to the astronauts regarding standard operating
procedures and settings.

A velcro
hook patch was essential in a zero gravity environment. Since the camera
could simply float away if not attended to, the patch allowed the astronaut
to stow it on board, by simply sticking it to a patch of loop velcro located
in various places on the spacecraft. Velcro patches for the Nikon F bodies
tended to be white in colour.

Another
method the Astronauts could utilize to stow the camera was by way of a
metal quick-mount shoe, located on the base of the camera. Similar to
an arca-swiss style plate, this enabled quick installation and removal
on fixed station mounts in the spacecraft. The shoe also incorporates
a standard tripod mount thread of 1/4 x 20.

So, in
summary, you will see that the Nikon F was heavily modified to survive
the rigours of use in space. It developed many advances that would help
refine the designs of consumer models to follow it yeas down the road.

CLICK
HERE to learn about my NASA DCS460C Digital Camera used on the
1st and 2nd expeditions at the International Space Station. This one captured
shots of the Space Shuttle above earth and even shots of the Space Station
itself from the Soyuz Russian spacecraft

CLICK
HERE to learn about the NASA DCS460C Digital Camera used on the
2nd and 3rd expeditions at the International Space Station. This one captured
the aftermath in New York City on 9/11

CLICK
HERE for the NASA Nikon Serial Number Database; a never ending
work in progress to record all the film-based and early digital Nikon
gear used in the Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle eras and the early days of
the International Space Station